Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell jumps over a bush after hitting out of the brush along the 17th fairway during a third round match against Shane Lowry of Ireland, at the Match Play Championship golf tournament, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, in Marana, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Golf: Poulter, Mahan will face off in semifinals in match play

Kuchar, Day will play in other match as top seeds are all gone.

The Associated PRess

First Published Feb 23 2013 05:41 pm • Last Updated May 21 2013 11:34 pm

Marana, Ariz. • Before the first shot of the Match Play Championship, and before the first snowfall, Hunter Mahan was asked for three players with the best reputation in match play.

Ian Poulter was on his list.

Now he gets to find out for himself.

Poulter again proved to be one tough customer Saturday when he beat Steve Stricker with one big putt after another, advancing to the semifinals and improving his record in match play around the world to 19-3-2 over the last four years.

Next up is Mahan, who is leaving his own mark at Dove Mountain. Mahan outlasted U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson in 18 holes, leaving him two wins away from joining Tiger Woods as the only repeat winners of this World Golf Championship. Not only has Mahan won every match he has played — 11 in a row — over the last two years, he now has gone 151 consecutive holes at the Match Play Championship without trailing.

Poulter is aiming for his second Match Play win in the last four years.

"I have so much respect for the guy and how he plays," Mahan said. "There’s not one part of his game that really shines. He has a great short game and he’s a great putter, but to me, his determination and his will is his greatest strength. He’s never going to think he’s out of a hole."

Not to be outdone, Matt Kuchar reached the semifinals for the second time in three years with steady play, rarely taking himself out of position. That proved way too much for Robert Garrigus, who was 4 down through 10 holes and didn’t make it beyond the 16th green.

Kuchar will play Jason Day of Australia, who won a tight match against Graeme McDowell in 18 holes.

The biggest stars in golf might be long gone. In their place are two guys who might be the best in match play over the last few years.

LPGA Tour

Thai teenager Ariya Jutanugarn shot a 2-under 70 Saturday to lead by three strokes after the third round of the LPGA Thailand in Chonburi, despite finishing with two bogeys.

Last year’s top-ranked amateur, Ariya had seven birdies — including five straight from No. 10 — for an 11-under 205 total.

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